Editor's note: Every NFL team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open March 12 and the draft April 25-27. This is the 29th of 32 reports in 32 days by Sporting News NFL correspondents, who will analyze the offseason game plan for each team. Up next:Kansas City Chiefs.

Talent overview

For the first time in six years, the Denver Broncos finished with a winning record, which by itself would change the focal points for the team heading into free agency. That their regular-season record was a league-best 13-3, accomplished with 36-year-old Peyton Manning at the helm, means the team is clearly in win-now mode.

The Broncos picked up the option on Manning's contract, effectively locking themselves into two more years with the four-time MVP — seasons they believe will be more productive, given Manning's further recovery from his four neck surgeries and another offseason to hone timing with wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, both of whom finished with more than 1,000 yards.

For most of 2012, the team worked as designed. Manning flourished and the pass-rush intensive defense, led by Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, was an ideal complement.

After January's double-overtime playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore, the Broncos headed into the offseason believing they are a tweak or two away from a championship. But they won't mortgage the long-term foundation to do it.

Porter had one night of brilliance last season — a Week 1 performance against Pittsburgh that culminated in a pick-six — but rarely played after Week 6 because of dizziness, a rapid heartbeat and rumblings of discontent. The emergence of young cornerbacks Chris Harris and Tony Carter marks him unnecessary.

Koppen had a renaissance after replacing injured J.D. Walton at center, but coach John Fox has declared Walton the starter heading into training camp. Koppen could find a more secure first-team gig elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.

Williams and Mays were paid starter's salaries last season but aren't in the first-team mix going forward. Williams missed nine games to two suspensions before finishing out the season as a reserve behind Wesley Woodyard. Mays was benched at middle linebacker before tearing an ACL. The Broncos can clear more than $9 million in cap space by releasing both.

Brooking's contract expires, and although he was helpful as a training-camp signee, he could retire.

Bannan could be brought back later in free agency, but the Broncos hope to upgrade the quality and depth of their interior defensive linemen.

Needs/targets

1. Defensive tackle. The Broncos could elect to move Derek Wolfe inside on a full-time basis instead of just on pass-rush downs, but as a rookie he was effective in a hybrid role as a two-down end and pass-rush tackle. The team would like to find a big run-stuffer, whether they bring back Kevin Vickerson or not, and would also like to fortify the rotation.

The draft is rich in quality defensive tackles that would fit the bill at the 28th pick, when the Broncos select, but they could opt to fill the need in free agency and increase their draft-weekend flexibility. A player like Glenn Dorsey, a disappointment in Kansas City's 3-4 alignment but a more natural fit as a 4-3 tackle, could be in play.

2. Middle linebacker. When Fox and executive vice president John Elway were asked about the position at the Scouting Combine, they declared third-year veteran Nate Irving and Steven Johnson, an undrafted rookie last season, as competitors for the job. Neither has started before and both have been limited almost exclusively to special teams.

Although Elway is committed to building through the draft and cultivating young players — a philosophy borne from his late father Jack Elway, a longtime high school and college coach who scouted for the Broncos during their title-winning years. The Broncos could fortify this position in the summer months if they don't see what they hope to find in Irving and Johnson. Their success in plucking Brooking off the market last August will allow them to be patient. If they add a veteran, it might not happen until training camp.

3. Offensive line. Every first-teamer penciled in but left guard Zane Beadles is coming off an injury. There are concerns about whether right guard Chris Kuper can return to full fitness after sitting out half of the 2012 season with nagging ankle problems that began with his broken lower-leg in the 2011 regular-season finale.

The needs are potentially long-term rather than short, as Beadles, center J.D. Walton and franchise-tagged left tackle Ryan Clady all are on one-year deals. The Broncos drafted Baylor guard/center Philip Blake in the fourth round last year and plan to give him a long look during offseason practices while Kuper and Walton recover from surgeries. If negotiations on long-term deals with Beadles and Clady prove fruitless, team officials must begin planning for changes come 2014.

4. Cornerback. In the moment, the Broncos appear set with starters Champ Bailey and Chris Harris. Fifth-year defensive back Tony Carter and 2012 fourth-round pick Omar Bolden are also part of their plans.

But Bailey turns 35 this year. He gave up two touchdowns in the playoff loss to Baltimore, but remains among the league's best in man-to-man coverage and only allowed one touchdown last season. He's expected to eventually move to safety, perhaps as soon as 2014.

If Washington's Desmond Trufant or Florida State's Xavier Rhodes drops to the Broncos at No. 28, they might be hard to pass up.

5. Slot receiver. The Broncos could bring back 36-year-old Brandon Stokley, and the 14-year veteran has expressed interest in returning. But cultivating a long-term replacement for Stokley is a priority, and they could use free agency to bring in a target such as injury-plagued former Colts wideout Austin Collie. Or, they could find their long-term answer with a mid-round prospect like Duke's Conner Vernon, who caught passes from Manning during his rehabilitation last year.

Mason's take

The Broncos' cap room is deceptive, since approximately $9.6 million of it will go to Clady once he signs his franchise tender and approximately $4.5 million will be allotted to picks via the rookie salary pool. Parting ways with Williams and Mays would ease the crunch.

Any moves the Broncos make will happen with an eye toward the long term. The contracts of emerging standouts Beadles and Decker expire after this season. The deals with Thomas and Miller expire after 2014.

Don't be surprised if the bulk of the Broncos' free-agent signees are veterans on one- or two-year deals, leaving them the freedom to keep the growing core of a contender together for the transition from Manning to 2012 second-round pick Brock Osweiler, who Elway and Fox have declared to be the quarterback of the future.